Session to help people stick to new resolutions

Behaviour change coach Dr Matt Jenkins will lead a session on how to maintain your New Year's resolutions this month. PHOTO: BRENDA HARWOOD

Have you made a New Year resolution?

Perhaps you want to lose weight, get fit, embrace healthy eating, get organised or be better with money - these are among the most popular resolutions made as people contemplate the start of another year.

However, making a resolution is one thing, sticking to it can be something else again.

Enter Dr Matt Jenkins (pictured), a specialist in behaviour change, who will lead a session at Dunedin City Library on January 24 on sustaining New Year resolutions.

Dr Jenkins, who recently completed a PhD in motivation at the University of Otago School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science, said success in sticking to a New Year resolution involved motivation, preparation, accountability and ensuring your resolutions were in line with your personal values.

``The true basis of successful long-term change comes down to the reasons you are doing it,'' Dr Jenkins said.

While people could decide to make change at any time of the year, research had shown that those who made a change at New Year were 10 times more likely to maintain it, Dr Jenkins said.

The January 24 workshop, ``Keeping Your Resolution - tips and techniques for long-lasting change'', is a follow-up to a planning session led by Dr Jenkins before Christmas, but is open to everyone.

``We will be looking at how we evaluate our progress and get back on track if we have low motivation days, and re-evaluating some goals if necessary to be more self-compassionate.

``We will also talk about establishing good habits and how to get back into resolutions if you have dropped off.

``Accountability is important - self-accountability and sharing your goals with the right people can help you stick to them.''

With more than 10 years experience as a personal trainer, Dr Jenkins has in-depth knowledge of helping people make healthy and meaningful changes to their lives.

Dr Jenkins, an assistant research fellow at the School of Phys Ed, is also launching his own lifestyle coaching business - the Mensana Movement.

The workshop sessions will be streamed on the Mensana Movement Facebook page.

The ``Keep the Change: The Resolution Revolution'' session will be held on January 24, from 5.30pm, in the Dunningham Suite, fourth floor, Dunedin City Library. Entry by koha.